This book presents environmental protection managers and advanced students in environmental studies programs with an overview of the principles, facts, multidisciplinary approaches, and some of the complexities of the management of toxic substances. The text explores critical issues facing managers responsible for preventing and controlling problems associated with the manufacture, transport, storage, use and disposal of chemicals. It does this from two perspectives. The first is a disciplinary perspective, ie environmental chemistry, toxicology, engineering, economics, sociology and political science, all of which play a role in implementing comprehensive programs to manage chemicals. The second perspective is from the view of industry, government, academia and non-government organizations. For example, chapter 5 is authored by technical managers of a major chemical company, chapters 6 and 12 by government scientists and managers respectively, and chapter 10 by a respected member of the environmental lobby. An appreciation of these perspectives is very important for developing and running effective chemical management programs.
This is not a book for scientific or legal experts unless someone wants to become more familiar with the different disciplines, considerations and components of a toxic substances management program. Nor is it a toxicology, or an environmental engineering text. Instead, the book covers a judicious combination of topics, disciplines and authors, to provide managers with guidance on the issues, management strategies and tools from a late 1980s perspective.